onion

“Eggs And Potato” (Baked Potato And Caviar)

>
>
Ok friends, here is my opinion about “Caviar with all the trimmings” : It sucks !
In my humble opinion, only folks who don’t love caviar water down the pleasure of eating it by adding a mountain of other “stuff” to stretch it (lots of chopped onions, chopped eggs, sour cream, chopped chives, capers, lots of toast or other bread, mountains of blinis, etc.
I understand that it is not everybody’s kick to pay a few hundred $ for an ounce of caviar. But to stretch it with condiments means to just water down the pure pleasure, so you actually get less bang for your money. (Think of the best cognac you can lay your hands on – then stretching it with ice and water – Brrrrr 😦
All you should add to your caviar (in my own, humble opinion) to enjoy it to the fullest, is a bit of good, buttered bread, a tiny bliny or a bit of potato and top it with a generous amount of caviar. One ounce – two bites maximum WITH the bread or potato. Or, if you want to enjoy the caviar to the max – eat it neat, sit back, enjoy ! Life is good ! (I used one small potato and 4 oz of caviar for this dish – what the heck, I’ll only be 62 once)
As usual, use the best caviar you can afford – quality over quantity !
>
I am probably a bit spoiled with my taste for caviar because back in the mid- and late seventies I spend a lot of time in Russia.
During that time we were able to exchange one pair of used jeans on the black market for one kilo of the best caviar. We ate the stuff on buttered bread like other folk eat marmalade on bread – good sourdough bread with unsalted butter, piled high with caviar, probably 6 to 8 ounces per sandwich 🙂
Imagine to be able to do this nowadays, my oh my…………
Some of my friends who were with me during those trips and who read this post –
Yalta, Odessa, Leningrad, Sochi…….Aaahhhhhh, the good old day’s !
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

Eggs And Potato (Caviar And Baked Potato)

>
>
>
Preparation :
>
>
>

: bake potato at 425 F until very soft

: mix with butter, finely sliced scallions, a bit of greek yogurt and a tiny dash of sriracha

: mix ingredients, (the potato should be very light and almost neutral in taste), fill back into potato shell to serve

: Eggs And Potato (Caviar And Baked Potato)

: eat most of the potato before you start with the caviar

: hit me………

: Eggs And Potato (Caviar And Baked Potato)

: Eggs And Potato (Caviar And Baked Potato)

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Chili/Duck Rice Sticks

>
>
The other day I roasted a whole duck to have for dinner but when it was almost done a friend called me to invite me for dinner, so I put the whole shamuckus in the fridge for the next day to be used. The following dish was the result and I must say – what an extraordinary satisfying result it was, both visual and taste-wise, which just goes to show (again) that sometimes leftovers are better than the original. (Mind you – not alway’s – but often enough)
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

Chili/Duck Rice Sticks

>
>
>
Preparation :
>
>
>

: soak rice sticks in water for five minutes, drain

: remove all bones from duck,, discard bones

: saute slivered garlic in peanut oil until crisp and golden, set aside

: saute sliced onions in peanut oil until caramelized but not crisp, set aside

: pure goodness………

: saute duck in very hot peanut oil until skin is crisp but meat still juicy

: add chilies and grated ginger, saute a few seconds until chilies blister

: add rice sticks, equal parts of hoi sin sauce, chicken stock, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sweet thai chili sayce and ketchup )don’t scoff on the ketchup, it adds acidity and sweetness as well as richness to the dish

: mix all ingredients well, add a dash of sesame oil, check / adjust seasoning

: add bean sprouts and scallions

: almost there………..

: plate noodles on a deep plate or bowl

: sprinkle with more scallions

: add onions

: sprinkle with crispy garlic

: Chili/Duck Rice Sticks

: Chili/Duck Rice Sticks

: Chili/Duck Rice Sticks

>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Shrimp And Lap Cheong Fried Rice

>
>
Leftover rice –
soup, congee or fried rice ? – that was the question ! 🙂
Well, this time the decision came easy because I also had a few slices of cooked ham and a few small shrimp in my fridge, along with some peppers and fresh eggs. And besides, I’ll have a good fried rice anytime 🙂
This version is very simple and only takes a couple of minutes to prep and execute. Just make sure you use day-old rice – fresh cooked rice is too moist and will not result in good fried rice !
>
Bon Appetit ! Live is Good !
>
>

Shrimp And Lap Cheong Fried Rice

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: shrimp, lap cheong, peppers

: stir fry finely diced onions, grated ginger and garlic paste in peanut oil

: add shrimp, lap cheong and peppers, season with kosher salt and cayenne pepper, remove from oil, set aside

: add day-old cooked rice to oil, stir fry until rice makes popping sound

: move rice to one side of wok / pan, add more peanut oil, stir fry whisked eggs until scrambled

: mix rice and eggs, season with salt, pepper

: mix all previously stir fried ingredients with rice / egs, add sesame oil and a few drops of chili oil

: add sliced scallions, stir fry for another few minutes, check / adjust seasoning

: Shrimp And Lap Cheong Fried Rice

: Shrimp And Lap Cheong Fried Rice

>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Corned Beef And Cabbage – Happy St Patrick’s Day

>
>
After a week of corned beef almost daily, (I bought too much meat, as usual), I am happy that today St Paddy’s day is finally here, the mountain of corned beef is devoured and we can move on to other goodies. 🙂
However, today’s dish, Corned Beef and Cabbage, has been served in so many different versions that most of it has become just a shadow of its former glory. I hope that I can help resurrect people’s interest in this lovely dish. My version is a simple one, yet pretty to look at and most important, VERY tasty and sumptuous.
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
Click Here For Corned Beef Recipe
>
>

Corned Beef And Cabbage

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: rainbow potatoes, onions, herb/garlic butter

: saute vegetables in herb/garlic butter

: add beef stock, simmer until potatoes are almost done

: add cabbage

: add corned beef, ladle butter/stock from the bottom of the pan over the meat and cabbage, cover, simmer until cabbage is done, about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on your preference of texture

: plate cabbage and potatoes

: top with beef, ladle stock / butter over the top, sprinkle with scallions

: Corned Beef And Cabbage

>
>
>
>
>

Greek Salad (Limburger Salad)

>
>
” ~~Greek~~ Limburger Salad “
>
When I decided to have a Greek salad for dinner I had to go to the store first to get the necessary ingredients. To my tremendous surprise and delight, I discovered a type of cheese in the dairy section which I had not encountered for at least 20 years and which I would never have expected to find here in Miami – Limburger Cheese. This was the favorite cheese of my dad when I was a kid, and as I got older, the taste (and smell) eventually grew on me and Limburger became one of my favorite cheeses as well 🙂
So of course, never mind the feta cheese, Limburger it had to be ! It pairs great with the fresh vegetables and vinaigrette of the original Greek salad and, for my palette at least, it is the perfect substitute for the feta cheese in the original Greek salad.
As usual, use any cheese which suits your taste and budget best.
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

Limburger Salad and Jalapapeno / Cheddar Bread

Limburger Salad and Jalapeno / Cheddar Bread

>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: what cheese-dreams are made of……

: Limburger

: dice onions, cucumbers and peppers, add tomatoes, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, garlic paste, red wine vinegar, olive oil, fresh chives, fresh oregano and fresh basil

: Limburger Salad And Jalapeno / Cheddar Bread

: Limburger Salad And Jalapeno / Cheddar Bread

: Limburger Salad And Jalapeno / Cheddar Bread

: Limburger Salad And Jalapeno / Cheddar Bread

: Limburger Salad And Jalapeno / Cheddar Bread

: Limburger Salad And Jalapeno / Cheddar Bread

: Limburger Salad And Jalapeno / Cheddar Bread

>
>
>
>
>

Braised Turkey Leg With Bell Peppers And Great Northern Beans

>
Week Three – Monday Dinner – “Hans’ Lighter, Healthier Comfort Food” meal plan
>
>
>

While most folks think Turkey is only appropriate as a thanksgiving meal, I enjoy turkey all year-long. Braised turkey legs, turkey giblet adobo, grilled turkey hearts and turkey neck soup are some of my favorite dishes, while the whole turkey serves mostly as a showpiece for family celebration on thanksgiving.
Turkey legs are a lean cut, so they fit perfectly into my meal plan at “Hans’ Lighter, Healthier Comfort Food” meal plan.
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

Braised Turkey With Bell Peppers And Great Northern Beans

Aaahhhhhh

>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: season turkey leg with kosher salt, cayenne pepper and granulated garlic, saute in olive oil on both sides until golden

: add diced onions, sliced chilies and peppers

: saute veggies until fragrant

: add fresh chopped thyme ,oregano, garlic paste and diced tomatoes, saute another minute, cover vegetables with chicken stock

: simmer covered until turkey legs are done, about 20 minutes

: almost there…….

: remove legs, set aside

: add canned, drained northern beans, simmer another 2 minutes, check / adjust seasoning, return turkey to heat through

: plate vegetables in deep plate

: top with turkey leg, sprinkle with chopped italian parsley

: Braised Turkey With Bell Peppers And Great Northern Beans

: Braised Turkey With Peppers And Great Northern Beans

: Aaahhhhhh

>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Salad Florentine

>
Link to Hans’ Lighter, Healthier Comfort Food
>
>
Chicken livers – these once universally beloved little morsels have fallen out of favor with most diners in recent years. I assume that lack of availability , rising cost and most importantly (and sadly), the inability of most un-trained or little-trained cooks in many kitchens to turn these unassuming little buggers into a tasty, yummy looking dish has greatly contributed to their demise in the restaurant scene. Not so in my kitchen 🙂
I love a chicken liver mousse, chicken liver dumplings, fried chicken livers on toast or as a tasty addition to an otherwise plain and simple salad, as presented below.
>
Bon Appetit ! Live is Good !
>
>
P.S.
For those of you who can not warm up to chicken livers, use duck livers – just kidding ! – as usual, replace the chicken livers with a protein of your choice, such as shrimp, sausages, calamari, salmon, chicken breast or tights, etc.
>
>

Salad Florentine

serve with vegetable chips and dried fruits

>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>

: clean chicken livers, season with kosher salt, granulated garlic, sweet paprika and cayenne pepper

: saute in VERY HOT peanut oil until nicely browned on the outside but still medium and creamy on the inside

: remove to an absorbent paper

: add to raw spinach, romaine hearts, onion rings, cashew nuts, dried diced fruits and mild chili slices, dress with a honey / mustard dressing

: serve with roasted vegetable chips and dried fruits

: Salad Florentine

: Salad Florentine

: Salad Florentine

: Salad Florentine

>
>
>
>
>

Sauteed Pork Medallions With Mushrooms And Pasta

>
Link to : “Hans’ Lighter, Healthier Comfort Food”
>
>
This is a dish straight out of my childhood, yet after all these years, it still has the same appeal to me which it had then (or maybe even more) .
Everything just falls into place – pasta, tomato sauce, parmigiano reggiano, sautéed mushrooms, peppers, onions, juicy pork medallions nicely seared and seasoned with lots of black pepper – my oh my, anytime 🙂
It’s dishes like this which keep me from needing a lot of “fru fru” on my plate.
Simple, honest, beautiful ingredients, proper execution and flavors to match, THAT is what food should be all about !
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

Sauteed Pork Meaillions With Mushrooms And Pasta

Sautéed Pork Medallions With Mushrooms And Pasta

>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: trim pork tenderloin of all silver skin, cut, flatten into medallions, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

: saute in garlic oil until medium well (carry-over heat will do the rest and leave the medallions done but juicy), remove medallions, set aside

: in same pan, saute onions and mushrooms until starting to brown, add diced peppers, season with kosher salt, cayenne pepper and garlic paste

: lecker……

: meanwhile, cook pasta of your choice, drain, mix with garlic paste, salt and a spritz of maggi

: plate pasta in center of plate

: drizzle pasta with a bit of tomato sauce, sprinkle with grated parmigiano reggiano

: top with medallions

: top with sauteed mushrooms, sprinkle with chives

: Sautéed Pork Medallions With Mushrooms And Pasta

: Sautéed Pork Medallions With Mushrooms And Pasta

>
>
>
>
>

Peperonata & Chicken Parisienne

>
Click here to link to “Hans’ Lighter, Healthier Comfort Food”
>
>
Wednesday Dinner – Week Two
>
>
While peperonata (peperonate) is a classic, well established Italian dish, this version is adapted to my personal preference of taste and texture.
I used the traditional olive oil, garlic, onions, tomato paste and basil, but instead of the usual mixture of different-colored bell peppers, I used a variety of chilis with different colors and various levels of spiciness, from sweet to very hot. Also, instead of cooking everything down to a soft mash, I left the vegetables with a bit of a bite to make the texture more pleasant. All in all, a successful, different and modern take of a classical dish 🙂
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: blend a/p flour with cayenne pepper, granulated garlic and kosher salt, pat chicken brest dry, dredge in flour mixture

: dip chicken breast in whisked egg

: saute in vegetable oil until golden and crisp

: saute diced white onions, sliced scallions and garlic paste in olive oil, add capsicum of your choice (bell peppers, chilis or combination thereof), add tomato paste, a bit of chicken stock, kosher salt and cayenne pepper, simmer for three minutes,, add fresh basil, check / adjust seasoning

: plate peperonata

: top with chicken parisienne

: Peperonata & Chicken Parisienne

: Peperonata & Chicken Parisienne

>
>
>
>
>

Crispy Fried Noodle Pillow With Braised Pork Belly In Oyster Sauce

>
>
If there is a heaven, ( I know for sure that there is a hell), I believe this dish will be served there at least once a month……….
Crispy fried noodles and braised pork belly – a match made in heaven, available for us sinners now – down here on earth, no less 🙂
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>

Crispy Fried Noodle Pillow With Braised Pork Belly In Oyster Sauce

>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: season porkbelly with salt and saute until golden brown

: when brown, remove pork and set aside

: saute onions in garlic oil until lightly caramelized

: add hoisin sauce, grated ginger and garlic paste

: add oyster sauce

: add soy sauce

: add sriracha

: return pork to pan, add water

: simmer covered until pork is tender but NOT falling apart, remove pork, set aside, reduce sauce until thickened and onions are very soft, check / adjust seasoning